Machine for rolling up strip material



Ot. 8, 1929. F. H. MEYER 1,730,675

i ACHINE FOR ROLLING UP STRIP MATERIAL Filed July 2, 1928 2 sheetsLsneet 1 FEED H MEYEE Wm ...Ir mi v Oct. 8, 1929. F. H. MEYER MACHINE FOR'ROLLING UP STRIP MATERIAL Filed July 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented oct. s, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENTioF-FICE ApplicationA -led July My invention relates to a machine for rolling up strip material, and which is especially adapted for use in rolling up short strips of paper into compacted tubular bodies for use as fire cracker shells.

d One of the objects of myr` invention is the provision of a machine of the character described w-hich is of economical and compact construction.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means, in a machine of the character described, for stretching a surface of the strip material to cause a loose coiling thereof. Another obj ect of my invention isthe provision of means, ina machine of the character described, for tightening the convolutions of she loosely coiled strip into a compacted bo y. l Another object of my invention is the provision of means, in a machine of the character described, for applying a liquid to the coiled strip to paste the Aconvolutions of the coil, and also to dye the coil.

Another object of my'invention is the provision of means, in a machine of the character described, for discharging static electricit yA further object of my vinvent-ion is the provision, in a machine of the character described, of means for successively feeding strip material to the coil rolling means.

- My invention possesses valuable features, some of which will be set forth in the-'following description of my invention which-pis illust-rated in the drawmgs ' is tgbe understoodthat l do not limit myself A i to thek showing made bythe said description "Figure 2 i l a portion of the device illustrated 1n Figure l, showing' 1n greater detail the construction of the coiling'mechanism, guide means, and injector roll. V v Figure 3 is a sectional view taken in planes travel over the edge. other ob]ects and.

forming-'part of the specification. 'It

FEED` H. MEYER, 0F QAKLAND, CALIFORNIA v AMACHINE FQR RDLLING UP STRIP MATERIAL 19.28. serial No. 289,825.

up relatively short strips of material such as.

paper sheets, it is rather difficult to coil the strips in the usual manner by means of a l mandrel. Therefore, the present invention is primarily designed to provide a machine forl rolling up .such strips into compact tubular bodies. When a sh'eet of paper is drawn over the edge of a plate, the outer surface ofthe sheet is stretched, thereby causing the sheet to loosely curl or coil'u'p. The above principle is employed in the construction of Ithe machine of my invention. v q

Broadly my invention comprises a plate having an edge, andmeans are provided for drawing a strip of material over the edge to stretch the outer surface of the strip, thereby loosely coiling it. Preferably, the drawing means comprises anyendless belt arranged to Means are provided for tightening the loose convolutions of the coil into a compact body. Fordoing this, itwis preferred to provide a pair of spaced members forming a passage into which the coil passes. Means are provided for moving one of the members relative to the other, thereby causing rolling of the coil which is tightened during the rolling, For holding together the convolutions of the compacted coil, a liquid is applied, preferably to the coil as it passes g through the passage. The liquid may be an adhesive or an adhesive mixed with a dye, Asuch as aniline red, whereby the pasting and dyeing operation is simultaneously performed. To complete the assembly ,means are provided for successively feeding strip material to the plate.

In greater detail the machine of my invention comprises a frame 2, the top of which is 100 taken in planes 55- 'i plate 6 in position. An edge 11 of the plate projects beyond the other end of the channel, and near this free edge of the plate, a block 12 is fixed to the bottom 4 of the channel to elevate the plate and cause a flexing thereof when it is pressed downwardly.

`end Wise of the bracket.

Means are provided for ingstrip material, such as paper strips, over the plate 6 in the channel. Fixed to frame 2 isa bracket 13 upon which are vertically positioned side posts y14 to provide .a frame for retaining strips of lstacked paper. The bracket 13 is` formed with a recess 15 in the outside edge thereof, and in which is loosely seated the threaded bolt 16. A knurled nut 17 is threaded on the bolt for positioning it Fixed to the bolt at the outside end thereof is a clamp 18 which comprises two side members spaced from each other for holding a sharp edge cutter. such as a razor blade 19. The blade is lield between the sides by tightening the set screw 2() threaded therein. The upper edge of the clamp is open at the inner side to present the cutting edge of the razor, while the outer side is covered to provide a guard. Preferably successively feedthe razor is positioned at an angle, so as to.

provide a cutting surface sloping downwardly toward the posts 14, and upon which the outer portion of the stack can rest.

The middle part ofthe stack rests on a plate 21 supported adjacent its outer edge by the boss 21 projecting upwardly from bracket 13, and supported adjacent its inner edge by the eccentric cam 22 fixed for rotation 'with the shaft 22 journaled in the bracket 13. A suitable operating handle is provided for turning the shaft 22. The plate 21 lies between the inner and outer edges of the stack to permit the outer portion of the stack to lie.

on the edge of the razor, as previously described, and the inner portion to lie on a feed roller 23 journaled in the the frame.

bracket 24 fixed to The feed roller 23 is covered with a strip of rubber 26 to provide frictional engagement with the bottom strip of paper in the stack. Above the feed roller' is a plate 27 having a boss 28 journaled on the shaft 29 fixed to the bracket 31 on the frame 2. The plate 27 provides a stop for all but the lower sheets of paper in the stack holding frame, and it can beadjustably positioned by means of the set screwl 32 in the boss 28 and which is adapted to engage the shaft 29.

' When` feeding' the paper strips onto the channel, stack and positioned between the posts 14.

Upon rotation of the feed roller 23 in a direction toward the channel, the bottom strip eral of the lower strips. Therefore, only one strip at a time will be ,drawn away from the stack, since only the bottom strip thereof is lin frictional engagement with the feed roller,

While the other lower kstrips are held by the razor edge which cuts into them. The upper strips arc held bythe stop plate 27. lf for any reason it is desired to stop the feeding of the strips, the eccentric cam 22 can be turned by means of the operating handle to elevate plate 21 and raise the stack oil" of the feed roller 23.

As each paper strip, indicated by line 34, is

fed onto the channel, means are provided for drawing it over the free edge of plate 6. Above the edge of the plate and journaled in the bracket 36 fixed to the frame, is a shaft 37 upon which is journaled the roller 38. On

the shaft is fixed the forked arm 39 which is pivotally mounted, since vshaft 37. is journaled for rotation. The arm 39 has a stem portion with a 'cylindrical recess 41, in which the stem 42 ,fj the forked arm 43 is ladapted to slide. A!` roller 44 is journaled in the forked portion of arm 43 in a position above the plate, ar'id a roller 46 is journaled on the frame adjacent the free edge of the plate.

The roller 46 is so positioned that the lowest portion of."` its periphery is considerably below the plate, and an endless belt 47. preferably of cotton webbing but which can be of fabric such as canvas, or leather, is arranged to move'over said rollers. For tensioning the belt, a spring 48 is placed over the stems of arms 43 and 39 respectively. One end of the spring abuts against the shoulder 49 provided by the forks of arm 39 While the other end abuts against the knurled tensioning nut 51 threaded on the stem 42.

It is thus seen that by adjusting the pressure on spring 48 by turning nut 51, the belt can be tensioned to press against the free -`edge 11 of plate 6. Therefore, when roller 46 is rotated in a direction to move'the belt toward the free edge of the plate, the. strips of material are/ drawn over theedge, and roll into a coil 52 of loose convolutions, as previously described. For governing the size of the coil, a pair of spaccd inwardly curved, thinedge guides 53 are provided under the plate 6. Preferably, the guides are tongues formed in the end of the channel and adjacent the free edge of said plate. Since they are thinedged and spaced, very little frictional resistance is offered to movement of the coil.

During the operation as above described.

a large amount of static charge accumulates. a/weight 33 1s placed on top of thel This tends to prevent proper formation of discharging the staticn Belt 47 is preferably covered with a conducting surface, such asl metallic flakes o r graphite adhesively secured thereto, anda U-shaped discharge wire 54 is fixed to the frame and rests against the belt; there-by grounding the static charges on the belt. -btatic charges are also discharged from the coil 52 by means of a U- shaped wire 55 fixed to the frame and against which the coil strikes upon rollingup.

It is preferred to apply abelt dressing to the belt to insure frictional contactbetween it and the successive strips of paper. For

doing this, a box 55 is pivotally mounted at an upper corner on the bracket 56 lixed to the frame. The box is positioned to abut against 'the portion of the belt 4 7 passing over roller 46, and the inner side of the box is 'curved inwardly to conform to the contour of the '20 roller. Although an open boxmaybe employed, it is preferred to use a closed box having an opening in the top thereof which can be closed by means of any suitable stopper .and thru which the belt dressing can bev poured. A felt wick 56 is positioned against the curved side of the box in contact-with the belt 47. The upper part of the wick projects only a short distance into the boxI and docs not project into the dressing in the box, since :3o-the dressing is maintained at a level below f the wick. `When it is desired to apply dressing tothe bel`t,the box is tipped upwardly.

therefore. only the. upper portion of the wick applies-the dressing, while the lower portion is kept comparatively dry and consequently acts as a brush to clean the belt of excess dressing iuid. It is preferred to use a thin fluid belt dressing.

The coil 52, in the position shown in Fig- 40 vure 1, is loosely coiled; therefore, means are provided for tightening the coil into a compact body. Below the free edge of plate 6, is

J a circular passage 57 formed by a pair of spaced members comprising a plate or drum 58 journaled for rotation in the frame and a plate 59,' preferablya flange integral with the frame, and partially surrounding and concentric-with the drum. The passage 57 is partially closed at the sides by means of the 5o guide flanges 61 on the sides of the drum. An end portion 62 of the fixed plate 59 slopes slightly away from the drum to increase the width of the passage, and is flattened at the edge. Adjacent the flattened edge is an injector roller 63 journaled inthe frame and having the side fianges'64 to act as guides for the coil. The injector roller is also positioned adjacent to and under the free edge of the plate 6; so that theloose paperA coil 52 is first carried downwardly by the` belt 47 until it strikesthe roller which is driven in a direction to inject the coil into the passage. To facilitate the guiding of the loose coil into the passage, a triangular shaped guide block `i5 66 formed with spaced, inwardly curved, thinedge tongues 67, is positioned under the plate and adjacent` to but spaced from the injector roller to. permit passing ofthe coil between the roller and guides. The function of the spaced thin-edge guides is to eliminate, to a great extent, frictional contact between them and thecoil.

When the loose coil is injected into the l passage, it assumes an egg like shape at the portion of the fixed plate sloped away from the' drum, but due to the rolling action caused by the rotation of the drum and `narrowing of the passage, the convolutions of the coil tighten up into a compact tubular body. About half way through the passage the coil is firmly compacted. At this point, it is preferred to'apply a liquid such as. an adhesive or dye, or both together, tothe kcoil to 'hold itin compacted form. Upon the frame and near the lower portion of the ixd plateris j ournaled a stub shaft 68 upon which is keyed the liquid applying roller 69 projecting through an lope-ning 71 in the fixed plate 59,

and in a position substantially tangent to a line defined by the inner periphery of the plate. The roller 69 is also partially positioned in the liquid container 72 pivotally supported on the frame and which can be adjustably positioned by'means of the fingerstops 7 3 lixed to the bottom of the container, and the set screws 74 having'grooved heads resting in the notched edges 75 of the stops. The set screws are threaded in the boss 76 fixed to the frame. One end of the container is open and the roller 69 closes this end, except for a space filled Witha felt pad 7 7 to prevent the leakage of material from the container and also to remove excess liquid Y from the roller. j

rlhe roller is caused to rotate at a faster peripheral speed than the-drum, and in a direction so that the surface of the rller turns in an opposite direction to that of the drum. `As a result, the compacted coil is momentarily held ag-ainst the liquid applying ally mounted the guide plate 79 which is journaled at its outer edge on the bracket 8l fixed to the frame. The inner edge of the plate is beveled and projects slightly into the passage, while a boss 82 integral with the fixed plate 59 provides a stable support for the free end of the plate. A slot 83 is c ut in the plate beyond the, boss, and and below the slot, the conveyor chute 84 is placed.

Spaced from and above theguide platey 79, an ejector roller 87 is journaled, and the roller is driven so that its periphery rotates@ A in aV direction opposite to that of the drum.

An endless ejector belt 88 is Wound around the roller 87, and also about the roller 89 journaled in the end portion of the bracket arm 81. The lower stretch of the ejector belt is parallel to and spaced from the guide plate, While the lower portion of the. belt adjacent the passage forms a continuation there- .of-f-It is thus seen that the movement of a rolled tube, upon striking the end of the guide plate, is momentarily arrested. The plate, being pivotally mounted', yields and permits the-drum to carry the tube by the plate, and when the tube strikes the ejector belt, it is carried by the belt over the plate and falls thru slot 8?) onto the chute 84 which discharges the tube into any suitable container.

As previouslydescribed, an adhesive is applied to the compacted tubes during 1novement thru the passage. As a result. the liquid tends to collect on the drum and fixed plate therefore, it is preferred to mount the drum so that it can be readily removed for cleaning Also means are provided for resiliently holding the' drum in position. so that it can be removed for cleaninfr and then vautomatically snapped back into position.

Journaled in the bearing bushings 91 positioned in the boss 92 on the frame 2, is a hollow drive shaft 93, one end of which e'xtends beyond the boss for a purpose to be later described. and the other end of which extends thru the hub 94 of the drum. The' hub 94 is provided With an extension 96 which has a flange 97 at tlie end thereof. and the outer surface of which ris `ireferably flush With the corresponding ent of the drive shaft. A collar 98 is fixed to the drive shaft. by means of a set screw 99, while the hub of the druln is keyed to the collar by means of a pin 101 fixed tothe drum hub and adapted to engage the keyivay 102 in the collar. drive shaft is slidably mounted al plunger 103 one end of which 'is fixed to forked block 104 slidahly mounted in the shaft and adaptcd to Aengage a rvpin 106 diametrically fixed across the shaft. A bushing 107' is fixed near the outer end of the drive shaft by means of a pin108, and the plunger is adaptcd to slide thru the bushing 107. A coiled spring 109 surrounds the plunger and abuts against the bushing 107- and block 104. The assembly is held in position by means of a cap nut 111 adapted to thread onto the plunger and abut against the flange 97.

From the above description it is apparent that if the cap nut is taken off, the drum can be slipped off the drive shaft for cleaning. However, if merely a temporary cleaningjis desired While the drive shaft is moving, the drum can be withdrawn by pulling onV the hub extensionv 96. In the latter case, the hub is disconnected from the drive shaft and the consequent movement of the plunger will Vithin the vend of the tube.

. 112 is a large. pulley 114 connected by means of belt 116 to suitable drive means such as an v electric motor .117. Referring to Figure 1, the pulley 114 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction; therefore, the stub shaft is also turned in the same direction. Keyed to the stub shaft, isa sprocket wheel 118 connected. by means of the chain 119, to the sprocket wheel 121 fixed for rotation with the roller 46. Since the sprocket Wheel 118 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the roller 46 will al@ turn in that direction, thereby causing belt 47 to draw the paper strips toward the passage.

The injector roller 63 is directly geared to the roller 46 g therefore, it Will turn in a clockwise direction to pass the loosely coiled strips into the passage. A pulley 122 is fixed for rotation with the injector roll andlan endless. i

.is also connected to sprocket Wheel 129 fixed to the shaft 68 upon Which the roller 69 is keyed. vThe shaft 68 is journaled in a boss 131 integral with frame 2. It is thus seen that since the roller 46 turns in a count r-clockwise direction, the ejector roller 87 Wi also turn inthe same direction, thereby forcing the tubes out of passage`57 :andthe roller 69 Ywill kalso turn in a counter-clockwise direction. For rotating the drum 58, a sprocket Wheei 132is-also fixed to the shaft 68, and it is connected by means'of an endless chain 133 to the sprocket Wheel 134 fixed to the drum drive shaft 93. The drum Will, therefore, turn in a' counter-clockwise direction, but since Ythe periphery ofthe roller 69 is positioned adjacent the periphery of the drum, the peripheries thereof move in opposite directions to pere jform the functions previously described.

In making lire crackers from the compacted tubular bodies, one end of the tube is filled with clay whiclnis tightly tamped, powder is then added into the` tube, `and a fuse is embedded in the powder to project out of the open Clay is then tamped'over the powder and about the fuse.

I claim.: 1. In a machine Jfor rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the'edge to loosely coil the strip, and means for tightening the loose convolutions of the coil.

. 2. In a machine for rolling u'p a strip o `material, aplatehaving an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coil '15 t e strip,- spaced members providing a passage terial, a plate h holding the into which the coil passes, and means for moving one of said members relative to the other to roll the coil therebetween.

4. In a machine orrolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means' for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coll the strip, a fixed plate and a movable plate spaced therefrom to provide a passage into which the coil passes, and means for moving fthe movable plate to roll the coil between the plates.

5. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the -edge to loosely coil the strip, a drum, a plate adjacent the drum to provide a passage therebetween into which the coilipasse's, and means for effecting relative rotation between drum and plate to roll the coil therebetween.

G. In a mach'ne for rolling up a strip of maing the strip over the edge to loosely c oil the strip, a drum, a plate fixed concentric with the drum to provide a passage therebetween.

into which Athe coil passes,.and means for rotating the'drum to roll ythe coil between the drum" and plate. I

7 In a machine for rolling up a strip of 'materiah a plate havingan edge, means for over the edge to loosely drawing the stri rum, means for yieldingly coil the strip, a

drum in position, concentric with the drum to provide a passage therebetween into which the ,coil passes, and means for rotating thedrum to roll the coil between the drum and plate.

8, In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coil the strip, spaced members. passage into which the coil passes, means for moving one of said members relative-to the other to roll the coil therebetween, and means for applying a liquid to said coil.

i coil the strip,

9. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having anedge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely spacedx passage into which the coil passes, means for moving one of said members relative to the'y ving an edge, means for drawa plate fixed providing al relative to the other.

for rolling up a stri of' members providing a other to roll the coil therebetween, and means for applying a liquid to said coil during the rolling thereof.

10. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means fory drawingthe'strip over the'edge to loosely coil the strip, spaced members providing a passage into which the coil passes, means for moving one of said members relative to pas; age into which the coil passes, means for moving one of said members relative to the other to roll the coil therebetween, and means for feeding a succession pf strips to the strip draw'iiig means.

12. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coil the strip, spaced members providing a passage into which the coil passes, means for moving one or said members relative to the other to roll the coil therebetween, and. means for removing thecoil from said passage.

13. In 'a-machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over theedge to loosely coil the strip, means 4for tightening the loose convolutions' of thel coil to compact them., and means for applying adhesive to the compacted coil. i

14. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edgeto kloosely coil the strip, means or'tightening the loose vmembers provi ing a passage opening under sard edge, and means for moving one of said members relative to the other.

16. In a-machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, an endless belt arranged to'move over said edge, means for tensioning the`belt,`spaced members providing a passage opening under said edge, and means lfor moving one of said members 17 In a machine material, a plate having an edge, an en ess vbelt arranged to move over said edge for drawing the strip thereover to loosely coil the strip, and means fortighteningthe loose convolutionsof the coil.

18. In a machine for rolling up ay strip of. y-material, a plate having van edge, an endless belt arranged to move over said' edge for drawing the strip thereover to loosely coil the strip, means for discharging static from f material, a plate having an edge, an endless belt arranged to move over said edge for drawing the strip thereover to loosely coil the strip, means for discharging static from said coil, and means for tightening the loose onvolutions of the coil.

20. In a machine for rolling .up a strip of `m'aterial, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coil the strip, spaced members providing a passage opening under said edge, spaced knife edge guides under the plate for guiding the coil into the passage, and means for moving one of said members relative to the other.

2l. In a machine for rolling up a strip of" material, a

plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edge to loosely coil the belt, and means for tightening the loose convolutions of the coil.

27. The combination 'with a machine for rolling up a strip of material, of means for successively feeding strips to said machine comprising a frame for holding the strips in stacked position, stack is adapted" to rest, and a rotatably mounted feed roller upon which the stack is adaptedY to rest.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FERD H. MEYER.

the strip, spaced members providing a pasv l sage opening under said edge, an injector roll for introducing the coil into thepassage, and means for moving one of said members relative to the other. l -Y 22. In a machine for rolling up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means for drawing the strip over the edgeto loosely coil the strip, spaced members providing a passage opening under said edge, an injector roll for introducing the coil into the passage,

means for moving one of said members relative tothe other, and means for ejecting the coil from the passage. i

, 23. In a machine for rollin up a strip of material, a plate having an edge, means. for fixing the plate in position, an endless belt arranged to move over the edg'e`for drawing the strip thereover to loosely coil the strip, and means for tightening the loose convolutions of the coil.

a sharp edge upon which the' 24. In almachine for rolling up a strip of y material, a plate havin an edge, means yfor fixing the plate in position, means for flexing the plate, an endless belt arranged to move over the edge for drawing the strip thereover to loosely coil the strip, and means for tightening the loose convolutions of the coil.

25. In a machine for rollin up a strip of material, a plate having an ege, means for fixing theplate in position, means for flexing the plate, an endless belt arranged to .move over the edge for drawing the strip thereover to loosely'coil the stri means for tensioning the belt, and means fldr tightening the loose convolutions of the coil. 26. In a machine for rollin material, a plate having an ed ,belt arranged to move over drawing the strip thereover the strip,

up a stri of 

